Welcome!
I'm Myriam, a passionate Autism Expert with several years of experience empowering families and transforming the lives of children on the autism spectrum through practical, evidence-based strategies. As the founder of Squish4Joy and a mother of two autistic children, I combine both professional expertise and personal insight to help families navigate the unique challenges of autism. I hold a master’s degree in special education with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Transition Services, along with a graduate degree in transition. My extensive knowledge, combined with certifications in several evidence-based practices, enables me to create tailored interventions that focus on developing essential skills such as communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and sensory integration. At the core of my work is the goal of fostering self-determination for every child and family I work with. I empower parents with the tools and strategies they need to support their child’s growth at home, ensuring long-term success and independence. If you’re looking for personalized guidance, I offer free consultations to discuss your family’s unique needs and how we can work together. Schedule a session with me today, and let’s explore how I can help support your child’s journey. Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to partnering with you to unlock your child’s potential!
Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward empowering your family!
My Approach
Every child is unique, and so is every parent’s journey. That’s why I take a personalized, evidence-based approach, tailoring interventions to meet your child’s specific needs, strengths, and challenges. Whether it’s using social narratives to help your child understand and adopt new behaviors, implementing Response Interruption and Redirection (RIR) to manage in-the-moment challenges, or creating reinforcement systems to strengthen positive behaviors, my approach is designed to ensure your child can thrive in a way that works for them.
I incorporate a range of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to cover all aspects of development. This includes Visual Supports for transitions and routines, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) to enhance communication and social skills in real-world contexts, and Discrete Trial Training (DTT) to teach complex skills in a systematic way. Additionally, I use Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) to build motivation and independence, and Video Modeling to visually demonstrate skills that may be difficult to explain in words.
At the core of my approach is the majority rule: Parents are the most powerful and lasting influence in their child’s development. While therapists and specialists provide essential guidance, they spend only a fraction of the time with your child compared to you. The majority of your child’s learning and progress happens at home, during everyday activities, and in your interactions with them.
That’s why I focus heavily on parent training, equipping you with practical, evidence-based strategies that you can seamlessly integrate into your daily life. Whether it’s managing sensory challenges or fostering better communication, I empower you to be your child’s strongest advocate and guide. By giving you the tools you need, we ensure that the progress continues long after therapy sessions end.
Together, we’ll create a toolkit that empowers you to support your child’s growth, fostering independence and confidence. My ultimate goal isn’t just to address immediate challenges, but to set your child on a path toward long-term success. By working together, we can unlock your child’s full potential, ensuring they thrive not only in the present but also in the future.